Announcements

MPA/ESO/MPE/USM Joint Conference on Heating versus Cooling in Galaxies and Clusters of Galaxies

6–11 August 2006, Garching, Germany

The aim of the conference is a review of conference will explore possible connec- tions in X-rays, optical, IR, radio, and ab- our knowledge of the physical processes tions between these two areas. sorption studies), (ii) heating of central controlling the state of the dense, cen- cluster regions by the AGN-intracluster tral intracluster medium in galaxy clusters In recent years the effort to understand medium interaction and by other proc- and to dicuss their analogy to feedback cluster cooling cores has grown both esses, confrontation of modelling results process in regulated galaxy formation. in terms of observation (in particular in with observed cooling core structure, X-rays with the Chandra and XMM-New- (iii) diagnostics of the cooling core re- Detailed multiwavelength observations ton satellites) and in terms of detailed gions through the entropy structure of the suggest that the dense plasma regions at numerical hydrodynamical simulations. A intracluster medium and chemical en- the centres of galaxy clusters, previous- review of the state of the subject is thus richment as signatures of feedback heat- ly thought to harbour cooling flows, are timely. Also, in recent years it has been ing in the past, (iv) the need for feedback subject to a delicate balance between much more generally appreciated that the regulation in galaxy formation, detailed heating and cooling, which substantially suppression of gas cooling in the centre comparison of model predictions and ob­ reduces mass condensation and star- of galaxy clusters may be a model for the servations for the feedback during gal- formation rates. While these regions are effects of feedback in galaxy and struc- axy formation from both, stars/superno- quite complex, the rich observational ture formation in general. In our meeting vae and from AGN. detail now becoming available can guide we consequently broaden the view to in­ understanding and modelling. The aim clude feedback and self-regulation during Scientific Organising Committee: of this conference is to provide a synthe- galaxy formation. M. Arnaud, M. Begelman, H. Böhringer, sis of all the observational evidence and M. Donahue, A. Fabian, G. Hasinger, to confront it with astrophysical model- The wealth of new observational data and T. Heckman, C. Jones, B. McNamara, ling. Analogous issues arise in the models modelling results will provide the basis T. Ohashi, F. Owen, M. Pettini, T. Reiprich, of galaxy formation where the observed for the current meeting, which will include A. Renzini, P. Rosati, C. Sarazin, N. Soker, properties and the evolution of the galaxy the following topics: (i) evidence for cool- R. Sunyeav, S. White population can only be explained if gas ing, cold material, and star formation cooling and star formation are assumed in the centres of galaxy clusters and ellip­ Visit out webpage: http://www.mpe.mpg. to be regulated by feedback heating. The tical galaxies with results from observa- de/~cool06

Conference on Precision in Astrophysics

11–15 September 2006, Aveiro, Portugal

In the last decade we have witnessed im- optical wavelengths, IR high-resolution This ESO conference is co-organised pressive advancements in the accuracy spectroscopy should soon approach the with the Centre for Astronomy and of Doppler-shift measurements in astron- same accuracy regime. ­Astrophysics (University of Lisbon) and omy and of high-precision spectroscopy the University of Aveiro. in general. The goal of the conference is to gather together scientists to discuss all the Scientific Organising Committee: Beatriz The random measurement uncertainty scientific topics related to various as- Barbuy (Brasil), Jacqueline Bergeron depends on the inverse of the Signal- pects of high-precision spectroscopy (de- (France), Dainis Dravins (Sweden), Artie to-Noise ratio, therefore high accuracy re- termination of Doppler shifts, accurate Hatzes (Germany), Garik Israelian (), quires a high photon flux and a large line profiles, isotopic ratios, etc.). In addi- David Lambert (USA), photon-collecting capability. As a conse- tion to presentations on the state of the (Switzerland), Paolo Molaro (Italy), Mario quence, not only the scientific domains art of research in the field, part of the J. Monteiro (Portugal), Luca Pasquini using this technique benefit tremendous- programme will be devoted to future pro- (ESO, co-chair), Max Pettini (UK), Martino ly from the use of 8-m-class telescopes, grammes and instruments, including Romaniello (ESO, co-chair), Nuno C. but, also, they will fully exploit the tremen- those for ELTs. In addition to presenting ­Santos (Portugal, co-chair) dous gain provided by future Extremely their current results, we would like to ask Large Telescopes (ELTs), as clearly shown all the speakers to highlight also their Conference webpage: by the preliminary study of CODEX. Even limitations and to indicate, when possible, http://www.oal.ul.pt/psa2006 if most applications so far have been at future avenues to progress. Contact: [email protected]

70 The Messenger 123 – March 2006